Live Chat with Food Network Christmas Cookie Challengers

1 - First, welcome to our MANY featured guests today: Arlene, Julia P, Aime, Nicole, and Andrea! And kudos for having the courage to apply for and to compete in Food Network's series of Christmas cookie challenges. You are all winners just for going for it! (I'm numbering my intro comments just to help me keep track of them! I've got A LOT of advance questions and answers to post today! It may get crazy!)

3 - Though . . . before we dive into Q&A, just a few housekeeping notes for newbies to our chats: questions are generally answered in the order received, but they will not post to the public/viewable area of the chat until our guests have finished with the question received just before yours. That said, please be patient and do not re-post the same question. It may take some time to answer your question, depending on where it sits in the queue. But I will personally make sure every question gets answered before we're through.

4 - IMPORTANT - Since we've got a lot of guests and possible questions this time, I'd like to give this chat a little more structure than usual. Specifically, I'd like to divide this discussion into four broad segments: (1) Interviewing/Applying for the Challenge; (2) Prepping in Advance; (3) Competing; and (4) Dealing with the Aftermath. That said, please preface each of your questions with the section to which it pertains, i.e., by writing "SECTION 1 (2, 3, or 4)" followed by your question. I will start with Section 1 questions first; once they've all been answered, I'll proceed to Section 2 questions, and so on and so forth. Thanks!

5 - Also, if you have a question for a SPECIFIC guest, please preface that question with that guest's name, and please distinguish Julia Perugini from me (Julia Usher) by saying "Julia P" or "Julia U". Thanks!

8 - First, I want to say that I was amazed watching everyone make some very creative cookies in such a short (and very stressful) amount of time, but I had to chuckle because somewhere out there is a customer who is now convinced that this is proof that they CAN order on a Friday morning and pick up that same afternoon!

10 - Before they answer, I should note that all of our guests have signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Food Network that may prohibit them from answering some of our questions. I've asked them to let us know whenever this is the case, so that we can move quickly onto questions that their NDAs allow them to answer.

JULIA M USHER - SECTION 1/INTERVIEWING & APPLYING: Let's start with a pretty basic question. How or where did you all learn about these challenges and how to apply? ANSWER: I saw the first season and at that time I sent an e-mail asking about it. It was 2 years before, and I never got answer. One day, I was in my kitchen making rice and it was a crazy day! When I answer the phone, it was a producer and she asked me if I was Julia. She told me that she saw my old email and likes my Instagram. I could not believe it! She asked if I was interested in casting for the new season. I said yes!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

Julia M. UsherModerator11:02 AM
9 - SECTION 1/INTERVIEWING & APPLYING: Let's start with a pretty basic question. How or where did you all learn about these challenges and how to apply? ANSWER: I was contacted by a casting agent who was working for Food Network. They told me about the show and we started the lengthy interview process which included multiple Skype interviews, sending lots of photos of my family and me as well as my work and SO MANY phone calls. Anyone can apply to be on this (and any Food Network show) on their website!

Everyone - we've already gotten several questions about the advance information people got and whether they could bring recipes into the challenge, We'll be answering those shortly, so no need to submit that question again.

Julia M Usher 7 - SECTION 1/INTERVIEWING & APPLYING: Let's start with a pretty basic question. How or where did you all learn about these challenges and how to apply? ANSWER: After competing in the NY Cake Show, I started receiving emails from casting teams asking me to tryout for different televised competitions. When I received the first email, I originally thought it was spam and didn't respond for almost two weeks! The email said they found my work on Instagram. Thank god for social media lol!

I also get contacted by the casting agents every season (and with nearly every cookie show) and post the applications on Cookie Connection and elsewhere online. So this may also be another way for interested people to find out about future challenges.

Illinois Pam - I had to send several pictures of different types of cookies. I also had to do a skype interview with several types cookies. I was shocked on the show that we only had to make decorated cookies

Illinois Pam11:07 AM
Section 1: How much are they focusing on skill (in the interview process), and how much on entertainment value? Some of the guests were pretty novice (not the guests from here)..... ANSWER: It's hard to say since they told us very little about the process and we knew NOTHING about the other applicants, but there were a number of factors that went into being selected for sure! I suppose they want a variety of looks, personalities and styles to mix it up and keep it entertaining! At the end of the day, it's Television, baby!

Interesting, Nicole and Andrea. In the past when they've sent me casting notices, they've always said they want broad decorating and baking experience, not just decorators. But I noticed the decorating focus too.

I think that may be why some people looked novice. Several people on my show were trained pastry chefs with cookie businesses (just not decorated cookies). I spent week practicing all different types of cookies. Only to have to make cookies I make all the time

Illinois Pam Section 1: How much are hey focusing on skill, and how much on entertainment value? Some of the guests were pretty novice (not the guests from here)..... Well it’s a tv show! They sure choose people who aren’t interesting to see on tv I think. But the most important is skills. You need to go though a casting process and prove that you can do different things and you can do that under pressure and fast. They Had pastry chefs, they had girls like as they really looking for people who can bake. It’s not easy to get in the show.

Julia M. Usher: The most difficult thing was not knowing what was going on... ever. We didn't get official word that we made it until just a few short weeks before we left. I almost didn't go because I felt a little anxious about the unknowns!

I wholeheartedly agree! Be yourself! The hardest was making yourself readily available at ALL times for them. I have a full time job and when they ask you to bake numerous samples and have it ready within less then 24 hours, you work your butt off to deliver!

JULIA M. USHERMODERATOR9:14 AM
SECTION 1 - What was the most difficult part about the application/interview process for each of you? And what tips would you give to those who want to apply for the next challenge?
It’s hard because they don’t tell you anything! Also you don’t know who are the other people casting... you don’t know when you will film the show... you don’t know anything! I had to have my life in hold until get the yes. Then after the yes you just don’t know when they will call you in. You don’t know where to go nothing!

Well I'm a nosey social media stalker so I had some idea that Andrea and Amie would be competingbecasue of all the different cookies they were making - I was just hoping they weren't on the same episode as me...lol

{JULIA'S NOTE: THIS QUESTION IS VERY SIMILAR TO MINE SO POSTING AT THE SAME TIME} SECTION 2/ADVANCE PREP: All joking aside, were you really given your challenges at the last minute - as we saw on TV - or did you have time to think about and prepare for the cookies you created?

JULIA M USHER -
SECTION 2/ADVANCE PREP: How much info, if any, do they give you in advance about the challenges they will have you do? Is there any way to prepare in advance?
ANSWER: The very first time you see the set, the kitchen, the host or anything in that room is when you are being filmed. Baking stations are assigned to us right before we enter the room and drawn out on a clipboard like a basketball play. You hear the word "action", enter the room and it's on! You learn about the space you're working in as you go.... in fact, I spent half my time trying to zest an orange with a nut grater because I had no idea if/where I had a zester!

JULIA M USHER - Section 2/Advance Prep: My first time seeing the cookie cutters that I would be able to use during my challenge was when they said on your marks get set go...lol. Well, not really as I was sneaking a peek while Eddie was telling us about the challenge. We did have a period of about 4 weeks to practice as many cookies as we could. I tried to memorize and nail down recipes that I could easily add things too so that I would prepared for anything they might throw at me. My first time making both recipes was on the show. I'd never made a butter pecan cookie before but since pecan was the flavor I liked the most from the ones I had to choose, I just went with that and tried to make something yummy.

SWEET PRODIGY - Section 2/Advance Prep: During the interview process, I knew that it was obviously a "cookie" challenge and also a "Christmas" challenge. SO, that meant that I practiced every kind of cookie I could possibly attempt! My kitchen was a crazy cookie factory and I had so many thankful neighbors because they got to eat them all! Since I knew it was Christmas, and I focus solely on decorated sugar cookies, I was obviously imagining all sorts of designs, that could come my way! Funny thing is, everything I had mentally prepped for is all still in my back pocket of tricks! It was a fly by the seat of your pants experience!

JULIA M USHER - SECTION 2/ADVANCE PREP: How much info, if any, do they give you in advance about the challenges they will have you do? Is there any way to prepare in advance? ANSWER: They don’t give any info; you have to go and just try to be calm and organized.

JULIA M USHER - SECTION 2/ADVANCE PREP: How much info, if any, do they give you in advance about the challenges they will have you do? Is there any way to prepare in advance? ANSWER: Food Network will give you a broad range of tips a few weeks leading up to the competition. We are told to begin timing ourselves at home and be prepared to make a broad range of cookies such as structural, decorated, drop cookies, icing cookies, filled cookies, etc. It was really up in the air. I was convinced my episode would have a structural element (it didn’t, lol) ,and I practiced making gingerbread houses for dayssssss. I made soooo many cookies for weeks! I brought them to work telling my co-workers I was “testing” new recipes. I’m the most popular gal in the office now - ha!

SWEET PRODIGY - Christine SECTION 2/ADVANCE PREP: All joking aside, were you really given your challenges at the last minute - as we saw on TV - or did you have time to think about and prepare for the cookies you created? ANSWER: Yes, we had no idea what tools or ingredients would be available to us!

So, both AmyGirl and Illinois Pam asked similar questions about bringing in recipes and supplies. I'm posting them for completeness, but I think you all answered them. If you guests have anything to add related to their questions, please do!

{JULIA'S NOTE: WE ANSWERED THIS QUESTION EARLIER, PLEASE SCROLL UP FOR RESPONSES} SECTION 2/ADVANCE PREP: I often thought about doing one of the cookie challenges and I was wondering if you are allowed to follow a recipe on the show? I’m not good at remembering recipes off the top of my head and need to follow a recipe 😊. Thanks!

{JULIA'S NOTE: WE ANSWERED THIS QUESTION EARLIER, PLEASE SCROLL UP FOR RESPONSES} SECTION 2/ADVANCE PREP: Were you informed of the challenges ahead of time, and were you allowed to bring recipes and special supplies with you?

We had no idea what supplies we had to work with and could not bring anything in with us. One of the most difficult things for me was that we didn't have anything to tie our piping bags with! I was struggling to keep the icing in my bag more than anything! It's those small things that you would have no idea about while watching, but they make such a huge difference!

Oh my gosh,I so agree Amy!! I am so used to my tools that I use daily, I was a fish out of water!!! The piping bags nearly killed me. And scissors that came apart.....my space was a HOT mess b/c I was so foreign in there!

MLESLIE7671 - SECTION 3/COMPETING - Sigh. In high stress, with little time to work and cameras in your face, things are easily forgotten! In the first competition, I literally forgot how many ounces are in a pound for my powdered sugar. And truth be told, my batch of royal icing was completely wrong and I'm so thankful that I was able to salvage it!

MLESLIE7671 - SECTION 3/COMPETING: How difficult is it to not forget your recipe while competing ? ANSWER: Oh boy! Some aspects were a no-brainer... like... you literally aren't using your own brain! Muscle memory takes over and you just start working away. Other times, a wave of panic hits and you think "Did I even add eggs?! Does this recipe even call for eggs?! Where am I?!"

MSLESLIE7671 - SECTION 3/COMPETING: How difficult is it to not forget your recipe while competing ?
ANSWER: I have most of my recipes memorized after so many years baking since I was a kid. But I always start my cookies or anything that I bake by separating and measuring everything before I start so I know the exact order. I keep it all in a line so I always know what is the next ingredient. Being organized is very important in a food competition.

MLESLIE7671 - SECTION 3/COMPETING: How difficult is it to not forget your recipe while competing? ANSWER: Not only was it difficult, but you are moving at such a FAST pace, you forget what you even wanted to make in the first place! For example, once I found out what the first challenge was, I had originally intended to make a cookie with buttercream icing. My muscle memory immediately had me making royal icing because it’s what I’m so used to making at home. There was no time to change it, so I had to roll with the flow! What I found even harder than remembering my recipes was getting acquainted with working in a new kitchen.

JULIA M USHER -
SECTION 3/COMPETING: How long did it take to shoot the entire episode? I'm wondering how much re-taking and cutting they actually did to get to the final episode length? ANSWER: Any time we are in the kitchen, we were actually being timed. They set the clock, said "Go" and nothing stopped until the time was up. If you didn't finish (or your cookie trees were falling over!), tough cookies! You could ask for a time update at any point and they would periodically ask us to shout out times. All the "interview style" footage was filmed before and after filming the competition.

JULIA M USHER - Section3/Competing: Once they said go and the timer started, there were no breaks until the time was up. So all the questions the host and producers had while you baked cut into your time.

JULIA M USHER - SECTION 3/COMPETING: How long did it take to shoot the entire episode? I'm wondering how much re-taking and cutting they actually did to get to the final episode length? ANSWER: The time that we are inside the kitchen is the only time that we have! This is not a scripted episode; it’s actually real! So when you get inside the kitchen, the clock is going. If you need to go to the toilet, it doesn't stop for you!

JULIA M USHER - SECTION 3/COMPETING: How long did it take to shoot the entire episode? I'm wondering how much re-taking and cutting they actually did to get to the final episode length? ANSWER: The entire competition part of the episode was taped in one day. The interviews were done before and after the competition.

Those on the chat asking questions, please remember to preface your questions with the section of the chat to which they pertain. We are trying to work through various topics in order (scroll up to the intro to find them). This will help me greatly in organizing the chat. Thanks!

208bakes: Food Network wants to keep everything a secret to make the show more exciting. If images of the set, competitors etc. are leaked early, it would ruin the show. I'm sure it's too much risk to manage if we're all snapping photos. They also don't want anyone to have internet access on phones

Contacted? No. But, I took a road trip with my best friend to a book signing of Ree Drummond. It was amazing!! She completely remembered me and we had a great little chat and photo! Such a great memory for me! (I swear I wasn't stalking, we had the trip planned before I even knew she was a judge)!

WABIESHAD - SECTION 3/COMPETING - Yes! The host, Eddie Jackson, did walk up in the middle of the competition and want to chat! Of course, he would always tell me to keep working, but I just couldn't! I stopped to chat with him several times in both competitions! During the final, he came in during a really stressful time and I had to tell him to go away! Lovingly, of course! There was also a producer in the kitchen during the competition who asked us questions throughout the competition, trying to get play by play of our designs/baking, etc. There may have been times that I was so focused, I didn't even hear their questions!

JULIA M USHER - SECTION 3/COMPETING - The actual episode competition was in real time, no stopping, no re-takes, no pauses, and definitely no bathroom breaks! The only part that had a "re-take" was the start where you see the competitors running to the pantry or work station. But once the clock actually started, it was real time! However, there were a TON of interviews that we did prior to the baking challenges, after seeing the kitchen, and after the competition, but a fraction of those made the episode!

WABIESHAD -
SECTION 3/COMPETING: I loved watching the episodes so far and wondered: did the host actually interrupt you to make comments or ask questions!? ANSWER: Thank you very much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the episodes. The host ABSOLUTELY interrupts us (SO MUCH more than it shows!) You do not have to stop working, but obviously it's hard not to and the clock keeps on ticking all the while! In my episode, Eddie tried to get us all to sing the Christmas carol that inspired our cookie puzzle. When he came to me, not only did he ask me to sing THAT song, he continued to list of 4 others for me to sing. That footage made it on to a Food Network video called "Christmas Cookie Carols", but you don't see it on the episode. The Eddie visits made it lots of fun!

WABIESHAD - Section 3/Competing: Yes! Eddie even asked me to draw him at one point (that part didn't make the show). People including producers were asking questions all the time - "Tell me, what you are doing", "Why did you do that?", "What are you using?", etc.

WABIESHAD - SECTION 3/COMPETING: I loved watching the episodes so far and wondered: did the host actually interrupt you to make comments or ask questions!? ANSWER: Yes he did! And at one point I told him to please don’t ask me anymore questions! 😂😂😂 And he gave me a smile, lol. Yes they ask questions of everyone and it’s a big distraction.

WABIESHAD - SECTION 3/COMPETING: I loved watching the episodes so far and wondered: did the host actually interrupt you to make comments or ask questions!? ANSWER: OMG!!!!! Yes!!! I did not anticipate this at all going into the competition! For some reason, I always assumed the clock stopped during the host drive-by interviews. Well, let me tell you - that clock stops for NOTHING! I mean, I love me some Eddie, but I was totally frazzled every time he came by. I never knew how hard it was to talk and work at the same time! I have such newfound appreciation for you Julia U. – never knew how difficult it must be for you to tape your tutorials and explain the process the entire time. This is something I definitely wish I practiced more at home!

Aww, thanks Chua Cookie (Arlene). It is hard to talk and demo at the same time, but, fortunately, I also control when I stop rolling the cameras. If I mess up, we cut and we roll again and retake. You guys did not have that luxury on Food Network.

SECTION 3/COMPETING: We only saw a small and edited portion of what went on during the show. Was there anything interesting/hilarious/crazy that viewers didn't see or don't know about that you can share with us?

SWEET PRODIGY - Section 3/Competing: Lots of things end up on the cutting room floor. In my episode, they cut out me sketching my ideas for cookies. Eddie said I draw like a kindergartener and hopefully my cookies would turn out better than my sketches...lol.

SWEET PRODIGY -
SECTION 3/COMPETING: We only saw a small and edited portion of what went on during the show. Was there anything interesting/hilarious/crazy that viewers didn't see or don't know about that you can share with us?
ANSWER: The one thing I really wish everyone could have seen was how the 5 competitors interacted in our "down time". My group was AMAZING, hilarious, and so much fun. Some of us still text each other every single day (*cough, cough, Arlene). It would have been really cool to have some of those moments shown!

SWEET PRODIGY - Section 3/competing: SO many fun things happened that no one will ever see! Peter, who was my competitor, was leaping and twirling through the kitchen. So funny and so distracting!!! I was completely happy with how the episode, Santa's Sweet Spot, was edited with the exception of my judging. I was sad that they didn't show a fraction of what was said. What was shown in the first judging was a judge saying my cookie wasn't baked fully. What they didn't show was the other two judges adamantly disagreeing with him. So, there is always more to what you see! The episodes are so short to begin with, that you only get a glimpse into our time in the kitchen and before judges!

SWEET PRODIGY - SECTION 3/COMPETING: We only saw a small and edited portion of what went on during the show. Was there anything interesting/hilarious/crazy that viewers didn't see or don't know about that you can share with us? ANSWER: Yes, I have this heavy accent, right? So I can’t say lots of words well and everyone was laughing all the time, like even the camera people! I just make jokes all the time and a few inappropriate, I guess. I am glad they cut off my stupid sayings. Or most of it!

SWEET PRODIGY - SECTION 3/COMPETING: We only saw a small and edited portion of what went on during the show. Was there anything interesting/hilarious/crazy that viewers didn't see or don't know about that you can share with us? ANSWER: Soooo many antics! Eddie was such a funny host! At one point, I ran around the entire perimeter twice looking for a spatula that was actually right in front of my work area. Also, I loved the camaraderie in my group. Sure, it was a fierce competition, but there was just a dynamic and chemistry present in our group that I really LOVED! I still talk to them almost every day! Haha, thanks Aime!

Illinois Pam: Great question! The judging is actually a really long process and they only show tiny quips. Aartie told me my white chocolate orange cranberry cookie was a "perfect cookie" and she was tough! I was looking forward to seeing that, but it ended up on the cutting room floor!

Okay, all, I am going to ask you to hold off on posting any more questions so we can get through those I already have in the queue. I am also going to extend the chat another 15 minutes ('til 11:30 am) if that's all right with you all?

Whenever the casting agents call me asking me to promote the Challenges (as I've done for several years now), I ask them to put in my name with Food Network to be a judge . . . but they never do, or, if they do, Food Network ignores them! Oh, well . . .

SWEET PRODIGY - Section 4/The Aftermath: The most valuable thing that I took away from this was the new friends. I'm close with my cast mates and I've also made some pretty awesome friends in the cookie community from other shows.

SWEET PRODIGY - Section 4/The Aftermath: I learned SO much in this process. Not just about competing and the interviewing process, but about me! I left the competition knowing how it all went. I knew what I had presented and the results. When I say that my final tree cookie haunted me for months, it literally did. I had nightmares about that stupid tree. During those months when nobody knew I competed, I worked through a ton of self evaluation. My biggest lesson I learned is that we literally are our own worst critics. Some people that know me KNEW how much that cookie irritated me while watching the episode. But, most people noticed that I handled minor catastrophes with ease and held my own while competing!

SWEET PRODIGY - SECTION 4/THE AFTERMATH: What was the most valuable thing that you took away from this experience? ANSWER: I solemnly swear to NEVER judge someone on a televised baking competition again! We have all been there, watching these shows, stuffing popcorn in our face from our couch and thinking "Please, I could have done better than that". In reality, it was one of the most difficult things I've ever done! Working in a kitchen you don't know, with unfamiliar tools (and missing tools), ON TELEVISION is harder than I can describe. That said, it was absolutely amazing and I would do it every day if I could!

SWEET PRODIGY - SECTION 4/THE AFTERMATH: What was the most valuable thing that you took away from this experience? ANSWER: The Food Network was such an amazing experience for me. First, I really loved the friendships I forged. I’ve admired Aime, Andrea, Nicole & Julia from afar . . . So actually getting to know them and now being able to call them my friends is invaluable. Second, I really loved to see what I’m made of . . . like can I hang with the pros? At the time, I was still somewhat new to cookie decorating, so being able to compete and be considered on the same platform with my cookie idols helped boost my confidence. Lastly, ditto on what Aime said. I will NEVER judge someone on a televised baking competition again! My final cookie was a HOT mess, but I still wouldn’t trade it for anything. I loved the meaning behind why I chose my design.

Section 4: The aftermath has been an amazing ride for me! My local newspaper finally caught wind of me and then it got a little crazy! I was able to do the local news, local PBS station, radio show and more! Its been a blessing to me, and mind you, I didn't win the episode!

208bakes: Soooo many emails. People have been amazing.. just wanting to reach out and say congrats etc. I have had some fun filming opportunities since and lots of interest in decorating classes/lessons

Thanks for the clarification, Kathy. Sorry for the delayed posting. New comments come in underneath those waiting to be posted, so it sometimes takes me a while to see them depending on what I'm doing at the time the comment comes in.

Illinois Pam: You don't spend time with the judges. After winning, I had to stay back for photo shoots with them so we chatted a bit during that process. Maybe 15-20 minutes of time, but then you're being whisked off to the next thing!

I received so many encouraging messages, was featured in a local paper, had a great write up at the bank I work for. Getting asked a lot if I will be hosting local classes, so I'm currently considering going that route!

SECTION 4/THE AFTERMATH: I've heard on other reality shows that it is actually better NOT to win, and be a runner up because winners have more restrictions and commitments. Is that the case with this competition?

Ok this is also a bit funny- I was bummed I didn't even say my cookie name on national TV! I never realized I never said it, but they featured my first and last name. So, after the episode aired, I got some weird sketchy FB "friend" requests from men! Hahahha!

Yes, I have changed policies! Ha!!! Such a crazy story... my episode showed Nativity cookies I did...and I had a ton of inquiries for them. I shipped one set as a gift to a "high profile" person.......I no longer ship. Turns out I aided their stalker. Yep....I should write a book on the crazy stories!

JenniBakes4U: I personally haven't made any changes to policies since the show. I am more picky about opportunities (ie: collaborations, bloggers etc) because I saw a LOT of that in the weeks following the airing.

Hi Julia, not for posting, but had a thought about Cookie Con---would it be allowable to organize a swap or meet-up at cookie con for cookie connection members? Don't need to respond now, later is OK. We met at your class Wilton in Illinois. I sat up front. I am the IT project manager...

Illinois Pam! I am answering now if that's okay, as I may forget later. Yes, organizing a meet-up there would definitely be possible. Since I won't be there, I'm not the best person to organize it, but if you want to email me later (sweetlife@juliausher.com), we can discuss how this might happen. I think it's a really nice idea!

208Bakes; During Christmas I did lots of cookies but I have a brick and mortar bakery so I always have to do lots of other things. Cookies take the most time of all the things we offer at the bakery so I have to keep my sweets balance...lol

Agree with Nicole on all she said, BTW. I had a bakery for ten years, and, if all I did was decorated cookies, I never would have lasted that long. High-margin wedding cakes were what saved me - easy to plan for too!

No more new questions after this. We are already 30 minutes over and still have one wrap-up question to do. Thanks - the questions have been wonderful (the answers too), but I know our guests have busy weekends so I don't want to impose on them much longer!

SECTION 4/DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH: I actually have a question for my fellow Featured Guests! We prepped, we flew to the set, we competed, we returned home. So much of that experience was left behind in that kitchen. Then, all of the sudden, months and months later, the episodes aired and we watched it all unfold. Do you feel like your episode painted a good picture of the actual experience?

THE PAINTED PASTRY - Section 4/Dealing with the Aftermath: Whew! It was such a strange transition from the excitement of being chosen to super secretive, then all of a sudden it's airing! It was a whirlwhind of emotions for me. I think in the end, the episode I competed in was a good representation. t is such a short episode that is aired, even though its such a long process for us. It showed personalities fairly well of myself and fellow competitors! As I mentioned in a previous question, my only "wish" would have been for more of the judging to be shown. My judging was not a great representation of my judging experience as a whole. BUT, I am okay with it. In the end, I was completely satisfied with not winning, and everyone I knew being so proud of me and what I did! I have said so many times to people that I would rather not win the competition and people think I deserved it, than the alternative!

Section 4/ DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH: For my fellow featured guests....would you do it again? I've been asked that question so many times!!! I would personally, absolutely do it again! I had such an amazing time, met some fantastic people and made priceless memories. I would do it again, with the knowledge I now have!!

THE PAINTED PASTRY - SECTION 4/DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH: Do you feel like your episode painted a good picture of the actual experience? ANSWER: Yasssss girl! Overall, I thought it was such a fun episode to watch (and not just because we were in it, lol)! I wish they could have showed ALL the antics! Well, except the cinnamon part . . . I didn’t know I hoarded all the cinnamon bwahaha! The baking arena is sooooo BIG, much larger than it looks on TV. Also, when you are so focused, you do not notice anything around you. I’m now referred to as the #cinnamonhoarder. I can live with that!

Amie I think they edited a few things that I say in a way to make me a “mean” person. I am not and they try to make like me and Kristine didn’t get along. But overall it was ok. I wish the year showed all the nice things that I was told by judges ...

Cookie Connection: A place to learn, share, and celebrate the art of cookie decorating

Hi, all! As you probably know by now, Food Network is airing a series of seven Christmas Cookie Challenges this holiday season, all with a keen focus on our passion - cookie decorating! You can see the entire first episode, called Christmas Family Fun, here, along with upcoming airtimes of this episode and the others.

As if this wasn't exciting enough, at least five Cookie Connection members have competed in these challenges, and we've got the rare opportunity to talk with all of them about their experiences. On January 13 (10 am central), after the holiday rush has passed and we can all relax, we'll be hosting these daring ladies in this live chat covering topics from casting through to challenge prep and ultimately competing. We'll also discover what some of the winners plan to do with their $10,000 (!!) prizes.

I hope to "see" many of you here live. In the meantime, please congratulate the contestants, below, who will be joining us on January 13. And, please feel free to enter any questions you have for them in advance by following the instructions at the top of this chat room. We can always cover more ground in our live chats when we receive questions early.

Arlene is a baking banker who juggles a full-time job as a treasury analyst for a private bank on Wall Street with her passion for midnight cookie decorating. Her colleagues are often her guinea pigs for taste-testing her new recipes. Arlene’s first experimentation with cookies came about a year and a half ago when she offered to help a colleague when he and his husband-to-be could not find appropriate wedding favors. She immediately created a prototype designed to match the invitation and was undaunted by fulfilling 500 cookies as her first order. Since the start, the idea of bespoke cookies appealed to Arlene - attention to the smallest details, belief in more is more, intricate piping work, and an uncanny eye for customization soon became her trademarks. While she remains primarily a hobbyist decorator, Arlene recently incorporated in order to sell her keepsake cookies. She also plans to teach local classes and offer private events and parties. As for her Food Network debut, Arlene reports, “The best parts were meeting my competitors and forming friendships with them, having my cookies tasted by top Food Network idols (like The Pioneer Woman), and getting to see behind the scenes of filming. The worst parts: the time constraints and not knowing what supplies or ingredients would be available.” To find out more about Arlene and her cookie passion, please visit her website, and Instagram and Facebook pages.

Episode 1, Christmas Family Fun, first aired on: November 6, 2017 (See the full episode and future airtimes here.)Results: Made it to the final round!

Julia is 34 years old and has a home bakery called Julia’s Cookies. Julia started baking for family and friends about three years ago. Two years ago, she decided to stay at home to work, so she coud more easily take care of her family, and now she sells her cookies online, shipping them all across the United States. Julia also teaches cookie decorating classes to home bakers. About her experience on Food Network, Julia says, “Being on Food Network was amazing in general! I had a great time, and loved to get feedback from the chefs. The worst part was the stress of baking with limited time.” To learn more about Julia, please visit her on Instagram and Facebook.

Aime’s adventure in the world of cookie decorating began accidentally when a family member asked her to make cookies for an event. Although Aime always had a natural drive to create, cookies had never been on her radar. From the moment she whipped up her first batch of royal icing, Aime was hooked. After Aime launched a licensed bakery in 2014, her hobby rapidly transformed into a thriving business. Decorating cookies has brought new creative outlets, friendships, and opportunities to her life that she never imagined. She is honored to have had her work welcomed into so many people's milestone events, and is thrilled to see what's around the corner! As for her appearance on Food Network, Aime says, “My experience working with Food Network was amazing. From start to finish, the entire adventure was exhilarating, challenging, and rewarding. Imagining concepts, gathering and prepping ingredients, preparing dough, rolling and cutting, baking and cooling, decorating, assembling, and then plating in 90 minutes is a total marathon! My end results were nothing of perfection, but considering the time constraints and unique circumstances, I was proud of what I produced, especially my cookie puzzle in round two.” To catch up on more of Aime's cookie adventures, please visit her Facebook and Instagram pages.

While an elementary school teacher, Nicole stumbled upon her baking adventure by accident when making cookies for her daughter’s third birthday party. Soon after, she founded Cookies for a Cure to help raise money for cancer research. This was the beginning of her cookie business dream. Thousands of cookies later, her dream became a reality when, in January of 2014, she started her home-based bakery, Crumbles by Nicole. Cookies had always been her specialty, but she quickly added other treats to the menu such as cakes, cupcakes, and cake pops. In 2015, Nicole competed on ABC's The Great Holiday Baking Show, where she was a finalist. After appearing on the show, her business exploded and, on November 12, 2016, she opened a brick-and-mortar shop, Crumbles Bakery, and retired from teaching. Now, the only teaching she does is at her bakery where she hosts baking classes, camps, and parties. To learn more about Nicole and her work, please visit her on Instagram.

Three years ago, Andrea attended a local cookie decorating class and left frustrated. She became determined to master royal icing and beautiful sugar cookies. After countless hours of practice, blog reading, and tutorial watching, she gathered confidence in her skills, found her canvas for artistic expression, and ultimately launched Andy Kay’s Cookies. Andrea has also been blessed to teach at several cookie retreats around the midwest and loves meeting other cookie decorators. Regarding her experience on Food Network, she reports, “I had the absolute best time! It is Food Network after all! I really bonded with my fellow competitors and loved going through everything with them. The challenge pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I have no regrets. It was extremely fast and stressful, but so much fun competing head to head over cookies!” To learn more about Andrea, please check her out onFacebookandInstagram.

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